Department for Transport

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Stornoway

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on how many occasions the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Stornoway was staffed at below risk-assessed levels in February 2015.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on how many occasions the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Belfast was staffed at below risk-assessed levels in February 2015.

Mr John Hayes: The new flexible shift patterns and the ability for areas covered by the new HM Coastguard structure to be handled by any Coastguard within it mean workload is managed nationally rather than on a centre by centre basis. This enables HM Coastguard to proactively match available staff across the whole network to its busiest areas and times, both daily and seasonally. Therefore, it is more relevant to consider the total number of Coastguards available on the growing national network. As of 6 March this network, and the benefits it delivers, stretches from Beachy Head to the Mull of Galloway. The transition of the national network around the United Kingdom will be complete by December 2015. These historic risk assessed watch level assessments at the current individual centres err strongly on the side of caution. As each centre joins the evolving national network, the number of Coastguards at any of the individual centres becomes less significant. Where there are specific issues at a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Her Majesty’s Coastguard uses the current long established pairing arrangements between MRCCs. This enables each MRCC to be connected to at least one other MRCC which is available to provide mutual support. Work continues on the fresh appraisal I have asked for on the relationship between the available levels of resource and need in the light of the benefit of the new structure. Based on the risk assessment which characterised the previous model, during February 2015 Stornoway MRCC was staffed below risk assessed levels on 23 occasions out of 56 shifts, and Belfast MRCC was staffed below risk assessed levels on 15 occasions out of 56 shifts.

Marine Accident Investigation Branch

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average length of time was for the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch to publish a report into the causes of maritime accidents or incidents in each year from 1990 to date.

Mr John Hayes: MAIB reports are published at the earliest opportunity to ensure that safety lessons can be applied as soon after an accident as possible. All investigations are different with complex cases requiring more time, so average reporting times can be misleading. The recent grounding of the Hoegh Osaka in the Solent, and the tragic loss of eight seafarers when the Cemfjord sank in the Pentland Firth are two recent examples that demonstrate this. Where urgent safety lessons are identified at any time during an investigation the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents can issue a Safety Bulletin containing recommendations. The average length of time between the date of the accident to the date of the publication of MAIB’s report for each of the years is: 1990No accident investigation reports published199125.5 months199217.3 months199316.5 months199421 months199516.3 months199616.9 months199716.9 months199818.8 months199910.1 months200011.4 months200110.3 months200211.9 months200310.4 months20047.1 months200510.2 months20068.2 months20078.6 months20088 months20098.5 months20108.7 months20118.9 months20129.3 months201310.8 months201410.1 months2015to date10.7 months

Marine Accident Investigation Branch

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch plans to report on the accidents or incidents involving the (a) Nagato Reefer, (b) Dieppe Seaways, (c) Commodore Clipper, (d) St. Helen, (e) Pride of Canterbury, (f) Dover Seaways, (g) Cemfjord and (h) Hoegh Osaka vessels; and how many investigators are working on each such investigation.

Mr John Hayes: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) reports vary in their complexity and consequently the time taken for them to be completed. At the moment, projected publication dates for the reports of these eight investigations are: a. Nagato Reefer – April 2015b. Dieppe Seaways – June 2015c. Commodore Clipper – August 2015d. St Helen – July 2015e. Pride of Canterbury – August 2015f. Dover Seaways – July 2015g. Cemfjord – end 2015h. Hoegh Osaka – end 2015 MAIB investigations are conducted by teams that will vary in size and specialism according to the nature of the accident. Typically, two or three inspectors are deployed in the early stages of an investigation, with one having responsibility for leading the team and for producing the published report.

Home Office

Asylum

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2015 to Question 225187, what information about the possibility of challenging a decision to transfer a case to another signatory state under the Dublin III Regulation, identifying the national authorities to which appeals and reviews are to be lodged and the relevant time limits, is provided to applicants that relates to an appeal or review that would take place prior to removal in accordance with Article 27 of the Dublin III regulations.

James Brokenshire: As in the Answer to Question 225187 information relating to the possibility to challenge transfer decisions is given to applicants. The guide to completing appeal forms that accompanies a decision advises of an appeal right to the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and refers to the time limit of 28 calendar days to appeal. The guide also lists organisations in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, such as the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, Law Societies, Legal Aid Boards and Legal Service Commission, who are able to provide applicants with names and addresses of professional representatives. The organisations and/or professional representatives may also advise on other avenues of challenge, such as judicial review in the relevant courts in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Fascism

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to investigate and close Neo-Nazi training camps being organised.

James Brokenshire: The Government’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST) is intended to tackle all forms of terrorism and extremism, including that from the far right. In addition, the Home Secretary announced last year that the Home Office has taken responsibility for a new cross-government counter-extremism strategy. The strategy will aim to build up the public sector and civil society to identify extremism in all of its forms, confront it, challenge it and defeat it. It will cover extremism in all its forms: not just Islamist extremism but neo-Nazism and other forms of extremism too.The investigation of Neo Nazi training camps is an operational matter for the police.

Metropolitan Police

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers have been recruited by the Metropolitan Police Service in each year since 2010; and how many such officers are (a) of BAME origin and (b) women.

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many administrative staff have been recruited by the Metropolitan Police Service in each year since 2010; and how many such staff are (a) of BAME origin and (b) women.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 09 March 2015



The tables provided show the number of police officer and police staff joiners, by joining type, for the Metropolitan Police Service from 2009/10 to 2013/14. The tables include minority ethnic and female breakdowns.Of the 79 people who provisionally accepted a place on the Metropolitan Police’s innovative new programme Police Now, 16% are from an ethnic minority background (correct as of January 2015).   



Police officer and police staff joiners
(Excel SpreadSheet, 14.25 KB)

Mental Illness

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination as a result of signing up to the Time to Change Pledge.

Karen Bradley: The Home Secretary signed the Time to Change Pledge on 9 June 2014 showing her commitment to raising the profile of mental health issues in the workplace. As part of the Home Department’s commitment, steps have included:• The Home Office taking part in the Time to Talk day on 5 February 2015 with the aim of generating conversations about mental health. Staff were provided with questions to stimulate conversations and literature about mental health.• The Home Office taking a leading role in the development of the Mental Health Awareness e-learning produced for all civil servants. • Support for the Home Office Disability Support Network’s four mental health awareness buddy networks which provide peer support and work to raise awareness of mental health issues. • Break the Stigma, a programme of speakers to come into the department to raise awareness of mental health with the first being led by Sue Baker, the Director of Time to Change. • A steering group being established to lead implementation of our commitments to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination across the Department.

Cultural Heritage: Theft

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to identify and prosecute any British citizens or residents for possession of or trafficking in historic artefacts stolen from Iraq or Syria.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 10 March 2015



UN and EU sanctions prohibiting trade in illegally removed Iraqi and Syrian cultural property are implemented in UK legislation. The Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003 makes it an offence if a person dishonestly deals in a cultural objects that are tainted, knowing or believing that the object is tainted. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has issued guidelines for collectors, auctioneers and dealers in antiquities, and for museums in making acquisitions, to the effect that anyone suspected of dealing dishonestly in tainted cultural property should be reported to the police, so that appropriate enforcement activity can be initiated.If Border Force identify an item that they suspect is a tainted cultural object they may seize it using customs powers (if applicable) or section 19 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. Any such seized items are handed to the National Crime Agency or the relevant police force for investigation.

Child Sexual Abuse Independent Panel Inquiry

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to publish details of the cost incurred by the independent panel inquiry into child sexual abuse.

Lynne Featherstone: It is a matter for the Inquiry to publish details of its costs. Justice Goddard has committed to write to the Home Affairs Select Committee with the costs of the Inquiry incurred so far, before Parliament is dissolved.

Crime Museum

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost was of reopening the Metropolitan Police Crime Museum.

Mike Penning: The Home Office does not hold this information. The operating cost of the Crime Museum is a matter for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime working with the Metropolitan Police Service.

Hunting: Demonstrations

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps police forces are taking to prosecute anti-hunt protestors who wear masks and balaclavas to hide their identities.

Mike Penning: Face coverings can be worn in public places for a variety of legitimate reasons. In the context of a public order situation, where face coverings are being worn with the express intention of concealing identity, section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 enables a police officer in uniform to require any person to remove any item which the officer reasonably believes is being worn wholly or mainly for the purpose of concealing their identity. Section 60AA also enables a police officer in uniform to seize any item which they reasonably believe any person intends to use to conceal their identity. A refusal to comply with a direction under this section of the Act is punishable by a fine of up to £1,000 and/or one month’s imprisonment.These powers only apply in the locality and for the period for which an authorisation under section 60 or section 60AA of the Act has been given by a police officer of the rank of inspector or above. An inspector’s authorisation lasts for a maximum period of 24 hours, unless a police officer of the rank of superintendent or above authorises their use for a further 24 hours.Where applicable those in the office of constable must observe the requirements of the Codes of Practice under The Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984 governing the removal of headgear a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

Antisocial Behaviour

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support her Department provides to local authorities to help them with the consequences of anti-social behaviour.

Lynne Featherstone: The Government has supported local authorities and others in dealing with the consequences of anti-social behaviour by giving them more effective powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. These new powers are simpler and more flexible than the ones they have replaced to allow agencies to act quickly and better protect the public. We have also published statutory guidance for frontline professionals who use the new powers and we continue to work with them to ensure they put victims at the heart of their response to anti-social behaviour.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

European Union: Treaties

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in other EU member states on proposals to amend EU treaties.

Mr David Lidington: I have already visited 24 Member States to discuss EU reform with my counterparts, most recently, Warsaw on 6 March. Leaders across Europe agree that the EU needs to change. We are setting out the case for Britain’s view of the reforms required to make the EU fit for purpose in the 21st Century. We have already made progress: the June European Council agreed that EU reform was necessary and that the UK’s concerns should be addressed.

Procurement

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what proportion of the amount (a) his Department and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on procurement was paid to small and medium-sized enterprises (i) directly and (ii) through the supply chain in the last year for which figures are available.

Mr David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office spent the following percentage of its UK spend directly and through the supply chain with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs):2013/14: (i) Direct: 21% (ii) Indirect (through the supply chain): 8%We are unable to answer this question in its current format for our Arms Length Bodies without incurring disproportionate cost.

Billing

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what requirements his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies place on suppliers in respect of their payment terms to subcontractors as part of their standard terms and conditions.

Mr David Lidington: Contracts awarded under Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) standard terms and conditions obligate prime contractors (Tier-1 suppliers) to pay suppliers within 30 days. Work is underway to meet new obligations under The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 which places a legal requirement on the FCO to use contract conditions which cascade a 30 day payment term throughout the entirety of our supply chain.

Billing

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what proportion of undisputed invoices his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies paid within five days in the last period for which figures are available.

Mr David Lidington: Figures below relate to FY 2013-14Department/agency/non-departmental public bodyPercentage of undisputed invoices paid within five daysForeign and Commonwealth Office85%*FCO Services86%British Council0%**Westminster Foundation for Democracy31%Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission89%Wilton ParkData could only be provided at disproportionate costGreat Britain China CentreData could only be provided at disproportionate cost*This response relates to the UK only. Information regarding invoices paid by the FCO, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies overseas could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. ** As a non-central Government Body, the British Council pays suppliers as per their payment terms.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Mr Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2015 to Question 224123, on unmanned air vehicles, which person or team in his Department has lead responsibility for the application and deployment of UK remotely piloted aircraft systems in (a) Afghanistan, (b) Iraq, (c) Syria and (d) the MQ-9 User Group.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The deployment of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence, as is UK attendance at the MQ-9 Users Group.

Mental Illness

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination as a result of signing up to the Time to Change Pledge.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Since signing the Time to Change Pledge in September 2014, we have focussed on raising awareness across our network through promotion of the Action Plan agreed as part of the Pledge. To help facilitate this, we continued to be an active member of the Time To Change Peer Network Group and the recently launched Whitehall wide network to learn and share best practice.On specific follow-up with staff, the FCO has arranged a number of Stress Management sessions for staff working in our offices in London and Milton Keynes.  The FCO will in future be promoting Mental Health awareness internally as part of our "Good Line Manager" campaign, as well as making staff aware of the range of disability awareness products which are available through Civil Service Learning.Within the FCO’s Consular Directorate staff training has increased by 30% in the last year to help staff to confidently support customers with mental health needs. We have also focused outreach in overseas Posts to establish what support is available for customers and as a consequence staff knowledge has increased by 14%. We also have a Mind How you Go Travel Info-graphic which is available on our website.

Northern Ireland Office

Tourism

Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking to promote tourism to Northern Ireland.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: The promotion of tourism to Northern Ireland is primarily a devolved matter, but I take every opportunity to support it. Northern Ireland is one of the most beautiful parts of the United Kingdom.I welcome the fact that almost 1.8 million people visited it in 2014, representing a five per cent increase over 2013.The global media coverage of the G8 summit, which the Prime Minister brought to Fermanagh, and of the Giro d’Italia Grande Partenza, significantly raised Northern Ireland’s profile. The Irish Open at Royal County Down and the return of the Tall Ships to Belfast should attract new visitors.I am also pleased that the new British-Irish Visa Scheme in China and India will enable visits to both Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland, on a single visa of either country.

Children: Disadvantaged

Mr Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister on early intervention policies in Northern Ireland.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Getting Early Intervention right is crucial to breaking the inter-generational cycle of many social problems. By improving outcomes for children who have had a difficult start in life we can help them to meet their hopes and ambitions.Early Intervention policies are a devolved issue in Northern Ireland.The First Minister has not asked to discuss early intervention polices with my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or me.

Unemployment: Young People

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government is taking to tackle youth unemployment in Northern Ireland.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Recent figures show youth unemployment in Northern Ireland has fallen 5.3% over the year. We have more to do. But the Government’s policy of reducing the structural deficit is helping deliver a sustainable economic recovery and directly assisting young people into employment.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Exports: Government Assistance

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many firms have received through UKEF (a) insurance support, (b) bank guarantee trade finance products, (c) bank guarantee loan products and (d) other support in each month of the 2014-15 financial year.

Matthew Hancock: Due to there often being a time delay (particularly in relation to products aimed at smaller exporters) for support to be recorded on UKEF’s systems after it has become effective, a definitive month-by-month breakdown of the type requested is not available. Based on the information available, in the financial year to end-January UKEF has supported 145 different exporters, up from 130 supported during 2013/14.

UK Export Finance

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what (a) value and (b) proportion of export contracts supported by UKEF were aimed at smaller exporters in each of the last 12 months.

Matthew Hancock: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 225782

Manufacturing Industries: Government Assistance

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, by what date he expects the current assessment phase of the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative to be complete.

Matthew Hancock: The last Independent Investment Board meeting was held on 12th February 2015 and all applicants are being informed of the outcome.

Science: Finance

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his policy is on continuing the ring-fencing of science revenue spending; and if he will make it his policy to increase that budget in line with inflation.

Greg Clark: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

EU Grants and Loans

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2015 to Question 224801, who within managing authorities will make funding decisions; how local enterprise partnerships and other local partners will play an advisory role in respect of those decisions; and if he will make a statement.

Matthew Hancock: Where funding decisions on European Structural and Investment Funds projects are made within the relevant Government Department or Non-Departmental Public Body designated as the Managing Authority for that Fund under Article 123 of the European Structural and Investment Funds Common Provision Regulation (Regulation 1303/2013), this will be done by suitably authorised officials. In England, for the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund and part of the Rural Development Programme, these officials will be based in local growth teams across the country. Funding decisions have to be taken in accordance with the Operational Programmes. These have been drafted to take into account the local economic needs and priorities that have been identified by Local Enterprise Partnerships and other local partners, so local priorities are embedded into EU programmes and the funding decisions that will follow. Local partners will also be consulted on an ongoing basis via Local European Structural and Investment Fund Committees, with partners bringing local understanding, intelligence and advice to help inform project calls and funding decisions.

EU Grants and Loans

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2015 to Question 224801, what estimate he has made of the amount of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) that have been withheld in England so far as a result of the delay in the formal adoption of ESIF Operational Programmes for 2014 to 2020 by the European Commission.

Matthew Hancock: No funding has been withheld in England as a result of delay in the formal adoption of European Structural and Investment Funds programmes. The full value of England’s allocation from the Funds is expected to be available once the relevant Operational Programmes are agreed. In this context, it should be noted that the Operational Programme for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development in England was agreed on 13 February and the other European Structural and Investment Funds Operational Programmes for England are expected to be agreed in summer 2015. Under the European Structural and Investment Funds Common Provisions Regulation (Regulation 1303/2013), the Managing Authority for the relevant Fund has to have submitted a valid payment claim to the European Commission by the end of the third year following the year in which the money was committed from the EU budget.

Department for International Development

Developing Countries: Politics and Government

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the UK is taking to promote good governance and anti-corruption initiatives in (a) Jordan, (b) Gaza and the West Bank, (c) Turkey, (d) Nigeria, (e) Tunisia and (f) Mali.

Mr Desmond Swayne: a) The UK is supporting political and economic reform in Jordan through the Arab Partnership, including support to committees in parliament to improve the quality of legislation and support improvements to parliamentary procedures. We are also working with different groups across Jordanian governorates to build concepts of good governance, including forming counsels from the local communities that work to monitor the performance of local governance institutions against its roles and responsibilities.   b) The UK is helping the Palestinian Authority (PA) to build strong institutions and deliver essential services. Our support is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding which reaffirms the PA’s commitment to non-violence and a negotiated two-state solution, as well as its respect for human rights and delivering clean and accountable governance in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We are also helping deliver institutional reform and improve public financial management, and working with civil society to help citizens become more effective at holding the PA to account.   c) DFID does not does not have any anti-corruption or good governance programmes in Turkey.   d) The UK promotes good governance and anti-corruption in Nigeria through a range of technical assistance programmes which support democratisation, better use of Nigerian resources, improved transparency in the oil sector, increased capacity of civil society and more robust enforcement of anti-corruption legislation. No UK aid money goes directly to the Government of Nigeria to ward against corruption.   e) Since the revolution, UK funded programmes in Tunisia have supported the development and application of a code of conduct for public servants, have strengthened risk management, audit practices and the development of a whistle blowing framework, and have enhanced transparent public procurement. The UK has also supported the development of an anti-corruption strategy and strengthened the role of the National Anti-Corruption Agency.   f) DFID and FCO have developed a cross-governmental strategy to support effective, prioritised and coordinated action at the international and multilateral level to strengthen governance in Mali and the wider Sahel region. Our objective is to ensure that Sahelian States, including Mali, have governments that are politically inclusive, able to deliver basic services, enable growing prosperity and cooperate regionally.

Mental Illness

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department has taken to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination as a result of signing up to the Time to Change Pledge.

Mr Desmond Swayne: Mental health problems are common - but nearly nine out of ten people who experience them say they face stigma and discrimination as a result. This year mental health has been a strategic focus for our workplace inclusion programme. This work was instigated in August 2013 with our signing both the ‘Time to Change’ and ‘See Me Scotland’ pledges to tackle stigma.   Throughout the year we have sustained momentum on this agenda through:   · The delivery of a series of strategic and targeted communications including the UN Day for People with Disabilities and the ‘Time to Talk’ day. · Working with external partners to conduct an in-depth and impartial audit of our management practices where they relate to the mental health of our staff. · Sharing our learning with other government departments.   Our work in this area will continue over the coming year as we implement the recommendations of the audit above.

Training

Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what accreditation staff in her Department undertaking professional programme management training receive; and how many people at each grade in her Department have received such training.

Mr Desmond Swayne: Since 1st June 2014, when the scheme first started, 253 staff members have demonstrated sufficient expertise and knowledge, through a rigorous process of accreditation, into the Programme Management Cadre. They include three Senior Civil Servants and 15% have been senior advisors or team leaders. As would be expected, the remaining are made up of programme managers across the department. Programme Management Training within DFID started in 2013 since when over 400 have attended a three day Delivering Effective Aid Programme. Following the introduction of the Smart Rules and the new programme management architecture, the course has been modified and a further 200 have attended from all grades across the department. Each month one course is held in the UK (alternating between London and Glasgow) and one course is held in a country programme.

Training

Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many Heads of Profession there are in her Department; and what professional programme management qualifications each of those Heads of Profession holds.

Mr Desmond Swayne: Table A3.1 in Annex A3 the Independent Commission on Aid Impact Report 34 on ‘How the Department for International Development (DFID) Learns’ lists the 13 technical advisory professions. There are also 7 heads of corporate professions (Communications, Finance, Human Resources, Internal Audit, Information Technology, Knowledge and Procurement & Commercial); a Head of Policy Profession and a Head of Programme Management Profession.   We do not provide personal information on individuals and cannot give precise details on the qualifications of each Head of Profession as requested.   All the Heads of the Advisory, Programme and Policy Professions have completed essential DFID internal programme management courses (or the equivalent in a European donor), and have at least 5 years programme management experience. Several hold post-graduate qualifications in fields related to programme management as well as qualifications in their technical area. In addition three of the heads of the Corporate professions are qualified in PRINCE (Projects in Controlled Environments).

Developing Countries: Nutrition

Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to tackle micronutrient deficiencies in countries defined by the World Health Organisation on high burden countries; and what further steps she plans to take in relation to such countries.

Mr Desmond Swayne: Tackling undernutrition in the first 1,000 days of life is central to DFID’s strategy to improve child health and wellbeing, and tackling micronutrient deficiencies is a key part of that strategy. Details of DFID’s bilateral support is published on its Development Tracker website: http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/.   In addition to bilateral programmes, DFID provides support to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), all of which contribute to tackling micronutrient deficiencies in WHO high burden countries.

Developing Countries: Infrastructure

Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much her Department (a) spent on infrastructure in 2013-14 and (b) will spend on infrastructure in 2014-15 via (i) bilateral and (ii) multilateral channels.

Justine Greening: Details of DFID’s spend by sector, including Infrastructure, is shown in Table 11 of our publication ‘Gross Public Expenditure Tables 2013/14’, which is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statistics-on-international-development-2013-to-2014-gpex-tables. Figures for 2014/15 will be published in the autumn.

Training

Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to page eight of her Department's Annual Report and Accounts, published on 15 July 2014, what the content was of the commercial skills training received by senior civil servants in her Department; what accreditation those staff received upon completion of that training; and how many people at each grade in her Department received that training.

Mr Desmond Swayne: DFID’s Commercial training focuses on improving commercial capability across the department, in-line with the requirements of the Civil Service Reform plan as stated in DFID Annual Report and Accounts 2013–14. To date, ninety nine DFID Senior Civil Servants have completed the training.

Developing Countries: Politics and Government

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what work her Department's Governance and Fragile States department has undertaken to promote better governance in fragile and conflict-affected states.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The Prime Minister has consistently said that there is a Golden Thread of conditions that enables open economies and open societies to thrive: the rule of law, the absence of conflict, the absence of corruption, the presence of strong property rights and institutions. In fragile and conflict-affected states, DFID funds programmes on peace, governance and growth, working on issues such as preventing conflict, fighting corruption, improving the enabling environment for businesses, reducing barriers to trade, and giving women more voice in political processes. DFID is also working closely with other UK Government departments to ensure a whole of government approach to international peace and security. By January 2015, DFID’s programmes globally supported millions of women and men to vote in thirteen countries; supported 81 million people to have choice and control over their own development and to hold decision-makers to account; improved access to security and justice for 10 million women and girls; and helped 5.5 million people secure their land and property rights.

Department for Education

Offences against Children: Oxfordshire

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of each of the recommendations relating to her Department in the report of the Serious Case Review into Child Sexual Exploitation in Oxfordshire; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Edward Timpson: On 3 March, the Minister for Crime and Prevention, the Health Minister and I wrote to the chair of Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board, welcoming the publication of the Serious Case Review and outlining our response. The government has looked carefully at recent cases of child sexual exploitation with many similarities to the accounts of abuse in Oxfordshire. Our response is set out in ‘Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation’, which we published on 3 March. The government will continue to develop and deliver our responses to these serious and devastating crimes, and will consider carefully the lessons from cases as they emerge.

Social Services: Children

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of the Frontline programme's requirement that local authorities limit the caseloads of programme participants on the effectiveness of that programme; if she will take that requirement into account when evaluating the programme's success; and if she will make it her policy to apply limits similar to those caseload limits to all newly-qualified social workers.

Mr Edward Timpson: Participants on the Frontline programme attend an intensive summer institute at the beginning of the course. They are then placed within a local authority for two years’ hands-on experience, the first thirteen months of which they work in student units led by a consultant social worker. During this period, Frontline participants are students and therefore not qualified social workers. As a result Frontline participants are not allocated an individual case load; the cases are allocated to the consultant social worker and students co-work the cases as appropriate. Following qualification at the end of the first year, Frontline participants are employed by the local authority, which decides caseloads for newly qualified social workers according to their local needs. The Department is monitoring the success of the pilot as it develops to see if this concept could be applied more widely.

Social Services: Children

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding the Government has provided to (a) the Frontline programme and (b) other social work training courses in each of the last five years.

Mr Edward Timpson: The Government began funding the Frontline programme in 2013-14. The funding provided was £1,086,100 in 2013-14 and £4,517,500 in 2014-15. The total so far is £5,603,600. This pilot programme, where more than 14 people applied for every place in the second cohort, is delivering innovative practice that will drive quality throughout the profession. Over the last five years the Government has provided a total of £590,437,430 on other social work training courses. This is outlined in the table below:  Amount (£)2010-11113,579,6492011-12132,148,5062012-13130,738,6642013-14113,385,6112014-15100,585,000Total590,437,430

Free School Meals: Cumbria

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children in each ward in Copeland borough and Crummock, Dalton, Derwent Valley and Keswick wards in Allerdale borough (a) were eligible for and (b) received free school meals in each of the last five years.

Mr David Laws: Information on the number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals is not published at borough level.   Information on the number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals at local authority and regional level is published in the ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January 2014’ Statistical First Release.[1] Tables 8a to 8d of the release show information for pupils in primary, secondary and special schools, as well as pupil referral units. Information for 2010 to 2013 can be found in previous versions of this release.[2]  [1] www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2014[2] www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-school-and-pupil-numbers

Ministry of Justice

Mother and Baby Units

Mrs Siân C. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women with home postcodes in Wales who have children and are held in English prisons (a) have applied to be placed in mother and baby units in English prisons, (b) were successful in their application and (c) were refused in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Simon Hughes: Ten women with home postcodes in Wales applied for a place in a Mother and Baby Unit in the last six months. Of those, six applications were successful, two applications were withdrawn and two have yet to be considered by an Admissions Board.

Prisoners: Females

Mrs Siân C. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what (a) Welsh language library books and (b) other facilities there are for women in English prisons whose home postcode is in Wales.

Simon Hughes: Prison library providers make sure that the range of reading and reference material available in each library reflects the diverse needs of the prisoners held. Prison Service Instruction 02/2015, published in February 2015, has an expectation that the language needs of prisoners should be met where this is reasonably possible. The number of books available in any given language will be proportionate to the population's requirement. An inter-library loan request service, facilitated by the librarian or library assistant, enables prisoners to request books in the same way as library users in the community. Welsh speakers can ask for Welsh language books to be provided via this service. Information about what particular Welsh language library books are stocked in female prisons in England is not held centrally and will need to be collated through enquiries at these prisons. At HMP Eastwood Park, which holds the largest number of women with home postcodes in Wales, and also at HMP Styal, I have enquired about the availability of Welsh language books and seen Welsh language books in both libraries. I will write to the hon Member when we have been able to obtain any additional information about Welsh language books in other women’s prisons. Women prisoners whose home postcode is in Wales have the same access to facilities as all other women prisoners, to support their appropriate rehabilitation and their resettlement back to Welsh communities. This includes the provision of Welsh language services, under the Welsh Language Scheme, for prisoners whose preferred language is Welsh. There are strong links between HMP Eastwood Park and the National Offender Management Service in Wales. A number of initiatives provide resettlement support to Welsh women prisoners there. These include the Integrated Offender Management Cymru: Women's Pathfinder project, which is seeking to design and deliver a women-specific, integrated, whole-system approach to working with those who come into contact with the criminal justice system in Wales and which includes other relevant female prisons. HMP Styal, which holds women whose home is in North Wales, also has strong links with Wales. As a member of the Women’s Pathfinder Project Board along with HMP Eastwood Park, Styal is involved in the development of the project, which is due to be piloted in North Wales from April 2015 and which will link directly with the prison. The new arrangements for transforming rehabilitation are expected to strengthen the links between women offenders whose homes are in Wales, and all the prisons in which they serve their sentence.

Prisoners: Females

Mrs Siân C. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women who have home postcodes in Wales were (a) remanded in and (b) sent to English prisons in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Simon Hughes: The following table shows the number of remanded and sentenced female prisoners who have a reported address in Wales on four dates in 2014. Number of remanded and sentenced female prisoners who have a reported address in Wales in 2014DateStatusTotalMarch 2014Remand47 Sentenced213Total 260June 2014Remand53 Sentenced201Total 254September 2014Remand48 Sentenced212Total 260December 2014Remand54 Sentenced203Total 257 Information on offenders is provided by them on reception in prison and recorded on a central IT system. Reported addresses can include a home address, an address to which offenders intend to return on discharge or the address of their next of kin. No address has been reported and no court information is available for around 3% of all offenders and therefore these figures are excluded from the answer.

Prime Minister

Bridgend

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Prime Minister, on what occasions he visited Bridgend constituency between May 2010 and February 2015.

Mr David Cameron: Details of my visits within the United Kingdom are published on the gov.uk website.

Prime Ministers Questions

Paul Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister, if he will replace the existing arrangements for Prime Minister's Questions with meetings in a committee room where the Prime Minister will answer from 20 randomly-selected backbenchers.

Mr David Cameron: I already answer questions from randomly-selected backbenchers at Prime Minister’s Questions. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bradford East on 4 March 2015, Official Report, column 941. I also appear before the Liaison Committee three times a year where I answer questions of the Committee’s choosing.

Ministry of Defence

Procurement

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what total value of contracts was awarded under his Department's Small Business Research Initiative competitions advertised through the Innovate UK website in 2014-15 to date; and for what total contract value his Department has budgeted for the full year.

Mr Philip Dunne: Holding answer received on 02 March 2015



The total value of contracts awarded via Small Business Research Initiative competitions advertised through the Innovate UK website in financial year 2014-15, to the end of February, is £7.6 million.

Military Aid: Emergencies

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what training his Department provides to military personnel on responding to emergencies and natural disasters; and how many such emergencies and natural disasters personnel of his Department have responded to since 2010.

Mr Mark Francois: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Procurement

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what procedures his Department has to ensure value for money on purchases; if he will estimate what savings have been realised by use of such procedures in the last 12 months; and if he will make statement.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is focused on ensuring best value for money in its procurement activity and, wherever possible, we seek to fulfil our requirements through open competition. For those instances where we must procure from a single source, the new Defence Reform Act 2014 and the Single Service Contract Regulations 2014 will help the MOD secure improved value for money through legally enforceable pricing and transparency rules. We have also established a Single Source Regulations Office, which will ensure that good value for money is obtained in Government expenditure on qualifying defence contracts and that contractors are paid a fair and reasonable price. The MOD does not hold information on savings realised through value for money procedures, but evaluates products and processes systematically to provide confidence about suitability, effectiveness, prudence, quality and good value. In a drive to continually reduce costs and deliver value for money the MOD has secured five year savings of £1.006 billion.

Syria

Mr Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2015 to Question 222433, whether data obtained from (a) UK Reaper missions and (b) coalition partner missions in Syria is analysed at RAF Marsham as part of Project Crossbow.

Mr Mark Francois: Data from UK Reaper missions is not currently analysed at RAF Marham by CROSSBOW. Data from coalition partner missions in Syria and Iraq is analysed when tasked to do so.

Future Large Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) initial and (b) most recent in service date for the A400M aircraft is.

Mr Philip Dunne: The RAF took delivery of its first A400M Atlas aircraft on 17 November 2014, and of its second aircraft on 27 February 2015.

Afghanistan

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much (a) manpower and (b) financial support has been allocated to date to the officer training academy in Afghanistan; what plans he has to continue such support and for what duration; and what assessment his Department has made of the value added to the effectiveness of the Afghan armed forces by the work of the UK-supported military academy.

Mr Mark Francois: 162 UK Armed Forces personnel are currently based in Afghanistan supporting the Afghan National Army Officer Academy; 65 of these are providing mentoring and 97 personnel provide support for the mentoring team. The cost of currently planned UK support to the Academy is expected to be approximately £70-80 million based on provision of support from 2012 to 2016. This is in addition to funding and support provided by other countries. UK support is being reviewed on an ongoing basis as part of the NATO RESOLUTE SUPPORT mission and with our Afghan partners.The first two Kandaks (battalions) of young Afghan officers have now graduated. It is too early to give a comprehensive assessment of the officers' effectiveness, as members of the first Kandak have only recently been posted to their units following further specialist training.

Armed Forces: Safety

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Recommendation 1.5.2 of the Tornado Collision  Service Inquiry Panel, what progress has been made to date on commissioning a review to determine whether safety enhancements are managed appropriately within his Department.

Mr Philip Dunne: The review reported on 18 June 2014 and concluded that safety enhancements are now managed appropriately within the Ministry of Defence.

Warships

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many ships and submarines of each type are in service in each branch of the Armed Forces; and where each such ship or submarine is based.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Military Aircraft

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many aircraft of each type are in service in each branch of the Armed Forces; and where each such aircraft is based.

Mr Philip Dunne: The number of fixed wing and rotary aircraft in service with each branch of the Armed Forces, and where each aircraft fleet is permanently based, is provided in the attached table.



Aircraft Fleet
(Word Document, 80.5 KB)

Cyprus

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what area of acacia trees was removed from Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area in 2014; and what the cost was of such action.

Anna Soubry: My right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mark Francois) spoke to the Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on 6 March 2015 and informed him that approximately 7.02 hectares of acacia trees were removed from within the firing zone of the range at Cape Pyla in the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area between November and December 2014. The work to remove the trees and associated illegal irrigation cost approximately €130,000.

Department for Work and Pensions

Remploy

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2015 to Question 225675, when he or a Minister in his Department last met a former Remploy employee or representative.

Esther McVey: Holding answer received on 06 March 2015



 The last meeting between a DWP Minister and a Remploy representative was on 13 January 2015.

Personal Independence Payment

Mr David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many individuals (a) have been reassessed by Atos for personal independence payments (PIPs) in place of disability living allowance, (b) are now in receipt of PIP and (c) did not qualify for PIP in each area of (i) Suffolk, (ii) England and (iii) Wales since 2010.

Mr Mark Harper: Decisions on claims to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are made by Departmental Decision Makers and are based on all the evidence presented by the claimant, evidence from health care professionals and advice received by the independent Assessment Providers following an assessment. The available information on registrations, clearances and awards for claims to PIP by claimants in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, at parliamentary constituency, local authority and regional level, have been published in the data tables accompanying the latest, quarterly statistical release: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-independence-payment-april-2013-to-october-2014. Information on the number of claimants currently in receipt of PIP, by a range of regional breakdowns, has been published and can be found at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk. Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at: https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Richard Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many HPV vaccine damage claimants have been registered in each year since 2008.

Mr Mark Harper: Information regarding claims in respect of a particular disease/vaccine is unavailable.

MAXIMUS Health and Human Services

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2015 to Question 225360, if he will place in the Library a copy of the contract with Maximus Health and Human Services Ltd.

Mr Mark Harper: As part of the Government’s transparency agenda, a redacted version of Maximus Health and Human Services Ltd Contract with the Department for Work and Pensions to deliver Health and Disability Assessments was published on the Contracts Finder website, on 24 November 2014. This can be accessed at: https://online.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/Common/View%20Notice.aspx?site=1000&lang=en&NoticeId=1644334

Personal Independence Payment

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of personal independence payments assessments were carried out within 16 weeks by (a) Capita and (b) Atos in 2014.

Mr Mark Harper: Of all new claim (normal rules) assessments undertaken during 2014, 24% of Atos assessments and 38% of Capita assessments were carried out within 16 weeks. From summer 2014, the Department and assessment providers focused on clearing older cases. As shown in the ad hoc statistical release that was published on 28th January 2015, improvements in the proportion of outstanding claims over 16 weeks and clearance times for the assessment providers can be seen between July 2014 and December 2014. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-independence-payment-new-claims-ad-hoc-statistics

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) average loss of income from non-receipt of benefits and (b) average period of time on sanctions was for claimants of employment and support allowance who had their benefit sanctioned in each region and constituent part of the UK in each six month period between 1 November 2012 and 30 September 2014.

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) average loss of income from non-receipt of benefits and (b) average period of time on sanctions was for claims of jobseeker's allowance who had their benefit sanctioned in each region and constituent part of the UK in each six month period between 1 November 2012 and 30 September 2014.

Esther McVey: For part (a) I refer my hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 2 March 2015 to Question UIN 225001 As the Department doesn’t make an estimate of the amount of benefit that would have been withheld as a result of benefit sanctions we therefore cannot estimate an average loss of income from non-receipt of benefits. The information requested for part (b) is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits: Scotland

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants of jobseeker's allowance had their benefits sanctioned in Scotland in each six month period between 1 November 2012 and 30 September 2014 (a) in each group, (b) of each gender, (c) of each ethnicity, (d) by parental status and (e) by carer status.

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants of employment and support allowance had their benefits sanctioned in Scotland in each six month period between 1 November 2012 and 30 September 2014 (a) in each group, (b) of each gender, (c) of each ethnicity, (d) by parental status and (e) by disability.

Esther McVey: The information requested, in relation to both Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) sanctions, is published and available at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at: https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm Information on carer status for JSA sanctions and on parental status and disability for ESA sanctions is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants of employment and support allowance who have had their benefit sanctioned subsequently cancelled their claim for that benefit in each region and constituent part of the UK in each six month period between 1 November 2012 and 30 September 2014.

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants of jobseeker's allowance who have had their benefits sanctioned subsequently cancelled their claim for that benefit in each region and constituent part of the UK in each six month period between 1 November 2012 and 30 September 2014.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many job outcome payments have been secured in respect of people on employment and support allowance who have been referred to the Work Programme on a voluntary basis since June 2011.

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people on employment and support allowance have been referred to the Work Programme on a voluntary basis since June 2011.

Esther McVey: The information requested, to answer both questions for Work Programme Referrals and Job Outcomes, by Payment Group since June 2011, is published and available at: http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/WorkProg/tabtool.html Guidance for users is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-tabulation-tool-guidance Proportions can be calculated using the published figures.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the savings to his Department from the introduction of mandatory reconsideration for employment and support allowance claims.

Mr Mark Harper: Detailed Information on savings to the Department from the introduction of mandatory reconsideration for employment and support allowance claims is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

European Social Fund

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2015 to Question 224799, whether his Department reached in-principle agreement with the European Commission on the 2014 to 2020 European Social Fund Operational Programme in February 2014; and on what date he expects the European Social Fund Operational Programme for 2014 to 2020 to be formally adopted by the European Commission.

Esther McVey: The only issues which we are still discussing with the European Commission relate to the level of some of the targets, and we expect to have agreement on those shortly. The timing of formal adoption will depend on the Commission’s internal processes. We expect it in May or June. Since the remaining issues are few in number, we plan to launch the 2014 to 2020 ESF programme before the end of March.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the peer reviews carried out by his Department following deaths of customers, how many of those deaths occurred whilst the customer was subject to benefit sanctions.

Esther McVey: Every death is a tragedy and it is right that the Department reviews complex cases including where claimants have died to identify whether processes have been followed and whether processes could be improved.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the functionality of real time information within the development of the Universal Credit programme.

Mr Mark Harper: The Real Time Information (RTI) system ensures that we get Universal Credit claims right by providing us with accurate and timely details of earnings and occupational pension payments from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC). The system is working well with over 99% of individual employment records now being reported in real time.

Employment Schemes: Young People

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much expenditure has been allocated to the Youth Contract to date.

Esther McVey: The Youth Contract was allocated £1bn.

Employment Schemes: Homelessness

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to introduce a homelessness pathway to support homeless people in accessing employment and support.

Esther McVey: In recognition of the needs of homeless individuals, in July 2014 the Government introduced a new easement for Jobseeker’s Allowance for homeless claimants.Once claimants make Work Coaches aware of their homelessness, they can then discuss the flexibilities available when work-related requirements are set. That includes discussing how their homelessness, and the need to find accommodation, impacts on their ability to take the reasonable steps for them to find work.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Dogs: Smuggling

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will implement the recommendations contained in the recent report by the Dogs Trust entitled The Puppy Smuggling Scandal.

George Eustice: We are taking action to tackle the illegal puppy trade focused on three areas. The Dogs Trust’s report highlights that responsibility for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are born. The UK Chief Veterinary Officer wrote to the authorities in the countries highlighted in the report and follow up action has been taken. We will continue to alert the authorities in any Member State where we become aware of issues in relation to the operation of the pet travel scheme.   “Secondly, we will maintain effective border controls. Every pet entering Great Britain is checked for compliance with the EU pet travel scheme and in 2014 checks were carried out on over 170,000 dogs, cats and ferrets. Stringent penalties are in place where people are found to be breaking the rules.” Thirdly, the illegal trade is driven by demand for cheap, pedigree puppies and we have published guidance on the steps pet owners can take to avoid buying an illegally imported pet: https://www.gov.uk/buying-a-cat-or-dog. We are also working with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group who have developed minimum standards for on-line pet advertisers which have led to the removal of over 130,000 problematic adverts in the last year.   The Dogs Trust has been invited to meet with the Minister for animal welfare to discuss their report ‘The Puppy Smuggling Scandal’.

Forests: Conservation

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it is Government policy to support an EU action plan for improving governance and reducing deforestation in the agricultural sector in tropical forest countries.

George Eustice: The Government is committed to reducing tropical deforestation, including by improving governance, and supports the development of an EU action plan on deforestation, as outlined in the EU’s 7th Environmental Action Programme.

Air Pollution

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues responsible for the planning system on the UK's air quality obligations under EU law.

Dan Rogerson: The Secretary of State has had discussions on a range of matters with Ministers in other departments, including the Department for Communities and Local Government. These discussions provide an opportunity for a range of issues, including air quality, to be raised.   The Government is committed to improving air quality and reducing pollution to protect public health and the environment.

Air Pollution

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward proposals to require local authorities whose planning decisions may have contributed to poor air quality standards to pay fines imposed by the EU on the UK in respect of those standards.

Dan Rogerson: The Commission has started infraction proceedings against the UK for not achieving European limit values for NO2. This case is ongoing. We are working in partnership with local authorities to ensure resources are invested in improving air quality to protect public health and the environment and to avoid any prospect of fines. We are fully committed to complying with EU air quality standards and are revising our plans to achieve compliance with the NO2 limits in the shortest possible time.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Procurement

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what proportion of the amount (a) his Department and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on procurement was paid to small and medium-sized enterprises (i) directly and (ii) through the supply chain in the last year for which figures are available.

Kris Hopkins: The Government has overhauled public procurement to open it up to businesses of all sizes.On 25 February 2015, we announced that central government spent an unprecedented £11.4 billion with small and medium sized enterprises in 2013-14, a record 26.1% of direct and indirect spend. This meets our aspiration, set in 2010, of 25% of government procurement spend by the end of this Parliament. My Department's figure is 29.5% - above the Government's goal.The data on central government spend in 2013-14 is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/central-government-spend-with-smes-2013-to-2014

Billing

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what proportion of undisputed invoices his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies paid within five days in the last period for which figures are available.

Kris Hopkins: The information requested is in the table below. Financial Year 2013/14 : Number of undisputed invoices paid within 5 days*  Number paid within 5 daysPercentage paid  within 5 daysDepartment for Communities and Local Government702181.82%Planning Inspectorate295488.02%* the term paid represents invoiced funds received in the suppliers bank account My Department's target is 80%.Please note, the Homes and Communities Agency does not monitor/report on payments made within 5 days. The requirement is for them to report on performance against a 30 day target; for 2013/14 they paid 98% of invoices within 30 days.

Families: Disadvantaged

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many families have participated in the Troubled Families Programme to date; and in how many cases a family member has secured a sustained job outcome following participation in the programme.

Kris Hopkins: Holding answer received on 09 March 2015



At the end of December 2014, local authorities had identified 117,910 troubled families; all of whom were, or had been, engaged in the programme. As of the end of February 2015, local authorities had reported that 105,671 families had been ‘turned around’ and 10,508 of these families included a family member who had moved off out of work benefits and into work for a period of at least 13 weeks. My Department regularly publishes this information online. The latest breakdown, by individual local authority, is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/troubled-families-programme-progress-information-at-december-2014-and-families-turned-around-at-february-2015

Right to Buy Scheme: West Midlands

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many units of housing were sold under Right to Buy and Right to Acquire provisions in each year since 2010 in the West Midlands.

Brandon Lewis: Under the reinvigorated Right to Buy, local authorities are able to keep receipts from additional sales to pay off debt and fund replacement affordable housing. Statistics on annual Right to Buy sales for each local authority district in England and annual Right to Acquire sales for England are published in the Department’s live tables 685 and 677 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-social-housing-sales Statistics on Right to Acquire sales are not available at a local authority district level. Since the Right to Buy was reinvigorated in England, £730 million in sales receipts are being re-invested in affordable house building; levering a further £1.7 billion of investment over the next 2 years. This means that in total, over £2.4 billion will be raised to invest in affordable house building as a result of Right to Buy.

EU Grants and Loans

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2015 to Question 224800, whether his Department reached in-principle agreement with the European Commission on the 2014 to 2020 European Regional Development Fund Operational Programme in February 2015; and when he expects to issue a launch call for projects.

Kris Hopkins: Holding answer received on 11 March 2015



The Department for Communities and Local Government has reached agreement with the European Commission on the major points of principle for the 2014-2020 European Regional Development Operational Programme for England. Local Growth Delivery Teams are working with Local Enterprise Partnerships and partners across England to launch the first round of project calls in March.

EU Grants and Loans

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2015 to Question 224800, and with reference to Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon's letter of 17 February 2015 to local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) and local partners, what steps he plans to take to ensure that LEPs and local partners will continue to have decisive input into funding decisions; who within each managing authority will make final funding decisions; what criteria will be used to make such decisions and when that information will be communicated to stakeholders; and what powers the Programme Monitoring Committee will have to enable it to effectively oversee local funding decisions in England when decisions are no longer to be taken by LEPs and other local partners.

Kris Hopkins: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Health Services: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what analysis of financial risk to Greater Manchester councils has been made during the Manchester NHS devolution negotiations.

Kris Hopkins: The devolution deal is about greater integration of the money spent locally on health and social care across the city by local authorities and health bodies. It does not affect the allocation of funding to councils in Greater Manchester. Greater integration and joint working has the potential to reduce costs and improve outcomes.

HM Treasury

Northern Rail

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 2.203 of the Autumn Statement 2014, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of replacing Pacer trains under the Northern rail franchise due to start in February 2016.

Danny Alexander: In February 2015, the Government published the Invitations to Tender for the Northern and TransPennine rail franchises. The specification includes a substantial package of upgrades including new services and some new trains in order to phase out the outdated Pacer trains by 2020.   It will be for bidders to set out how they will meet the specification set out by Government, noting that a key part of the bid evaluation criteria is price.   The final cost of phasing out the pacer trains is subject to the outcome of the competition. The Government’s initial estimate for the costs of the proposals, including 120 new build train vehicles, is approximately £250 million across the nine years of the Northern franchise, however we would expect the prices received by bidders through the competition to be lower than this.

Information Commissioner

Ian Lavery: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what interventions his Department have made in relation to the latest pay remit for staff at the Information Commissioner's Office.

Danny Alexander: The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is a delegated bargaining unit so conducts its own negotiations with Trade Unions.   The ICO submitted a pay proposal to HMT to remove pay progression in accordance with the civil service pay guidance to remove pay progression by 2015-16. Pay progression is only available to staff in the development zone.   HMT Ministers have agreed to provide pay flexibility outside the cap on public sector pay settlements with the ICO to remove pay progression.

Natural Resources

Joan Walley: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will incorporate a section on natural capital in his annual budget report.

Priti Patel: Economic growth and improving the environment go hand-in-hand, and the Natural Capital Committee has made a range of recommendations on how we manage the environment in a way that will enhance it for future generations whilst meeting our economic needs.   Given the significance of this work, the Government is carefully analysing the recommendations made in the Natural Capital Committee’s report, and will respond in due course. As part of that response, we will set out how Government plans to integrate natural capital into wider policy making and reporting.   The Government takes natural capital very seriously. We have set long term-goals to stop the decades of decline in wildlife and habitats, and have already seen some improvements. Since 2010 we have helped to create over 150,000 acres of field margins, wetlands and woodlands, and woodland cover is at its highest level in 700 years.

Theatre: Greater Manchester

Chris Bryant: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2015 to Question 222979, what recent discussions he has had with the management of The Factory on delivery plans; and what representations he has received on those plans.

Danny Alexander: Discussions for the delivery new theatre and exhibition in Manchester are ongoing between HMT, DCMS and Manchester City Council officials.

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

Sammy Wilson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will reopen the Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund for grant applications.

Danny Alexander: The government announced £15m for a new Listed Places of Worship – Roof Repair fund at Autumn Statement 2014. 1,900 applications have been received for the very successful scheme.   Applications opened on Wednesday 3rd December and closed on Friday 30th January.

Procurement

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of the amount (a) his Department and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on procurement was paid to small and medium-sized enterprises (i) directly and (ii) through the supply chain in the last year for which figures are available.

Andrea Leadsom: HM Treasury Group’s procurement spend with small and medium-sized enterprises in the financial year 2013 to 2014 has been published at:   www.gov.uk/government/publications/central-government-spend-with-smes-2013-to-2014

Infrastructure

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to increase the issuance of infrastructure project bonds; and if he will make a statement.

Danny Alexander: Project bonds are an important way of financing infrastructure from capital markets and the Government is supporting the use of project bonds for infrastructure in a number of ways.   The UK Guarantees Scheme (UKGS) helps infrastructure projects access capital market finance by enabling them to issue government-backed bonds.   The UKGS is a temporary intervention and is due to close in December 2016. The government will be engaging with industry on the future of the Scheme over the coming months.   The Government also supports the development of project bonds through the European Commission and European Investment Bank’s Project Bond Initiative. The Project Bond Credit Enhancement (PBCE) under this initiative is supporting the project bond market by improving the credit quality of senior bonds issued by project promoters through a loan or contingent facility provided by the EIB.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Mike Kane: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2015 to Question 222889, for what reason the information requested in the original Question was not supplied.

Priti Patel: HMRC does not collect information on the contribution to APD revenues made from flights to or from specific airports.   HMRC published a report in October 2012 modelling the effects of price differentials at UK airports, including the effect of a price change at Scottish airports equivalent to the full value of air passenger duty. Figure 2 of the report gives a reading of the possible passenger response at Manchester airport. A cross-party process reached the recommendation that Air Passenger Duty should be devolved to the Scottish Government. HMRC analysis of the potential effects on UK airports of price changes at Scottish airports aided the discussions behind this process. The analysis can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modelling-the-effects-of-price-differentials-at-uk-airports   The Chancellor announced on 27 February that the Government will review potential options to support regional airports affected by devolution. As part of the review, the Government plans to publish a discussion paper by the summer examining the devolution and variation of APD rates within England, and the provision of aid for regional airports.

Billing

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of undisputed invoices his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies paid within five days in the last period for which figures are available.

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of suppliers to his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies paid subcontractors within 30 days in the last period for which figures are available.

Andrea Leadsom: Information on prompt payment is published each month on the government website at Gov.uk here – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hm-treasury-group-payment-performance

Government Departments: Pay

Pamela Nash: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2015 to Question 225345, how many of the 125 contractors whose contracts were terminated or ended and were referred to HM Revenue and Customs for further investigation went on to be prosecuted.

Danny Alexander: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are unable to provide information on individual cases due to tax payer confidentiality. However, HMRC has opened a number of enquiries and in a number of these additional tax was found to be due. The majority of enquiries have now concluded.   HMRC uses its whole compliance tool kit to tackle rule bending and breaking. This includes taskforces through to fraud investigation by both our specialist civil and criminal investigation teams.

Billing

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of suppliers to his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are signatories to the Prompt Payment Code.

Andrea Leadsom: A breakdown of the proportion by HM Treasury’s agencies and non-departmental bodies could be provided only at disproportionate costs.   A list of signatories to the Prompt Payment Code can be found on the Code’s website:   http://ppc.promptpaymentcode.org.uk/ppc/signatory_paged.a4d

Billing

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what requirements his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies place on suppliers in respect of their payment terms to subcontractors as part of their standard terms and conditions.

Andrea Leadsom: In line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the standard terms and conditions HM Treasury uses require suppliers to pay subcontractors within 30 days from receipt of a valid invoice.

Fuels: Tax Evasion

Dr William McCrea: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have been prosecuted for fuel laundering in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.

Priti Patel: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is not a prosecuting authority. Where cases do proceed to the criminal courts in Northern Ireland the prosecution is carried out by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPSNI).   HMRC’s records do not differentiate between the forms of fuel fraud it investigates and so they cannot identify prosecutions solely for fuel laundering. Prosecutions instigated for oils offences in Northern Ireland since April 2013 were as follows:   2013-14: 6 2014-15 (to December) 6 HMRC fights fraud on a wide range of fronts, from special units performing thousands of roadside checks to raiding laundering plants. The UK has recently announced, jointly with Ireland, an improved new marker for rebated fuel, which will make it much harder to launder marked fuel and sell it at a profit.

National Savings Bonds: Pensioners

Pamela Nash: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will direct HM Revenue and Customs to issue guidance on whether 65-plus Guaranteed Growth Bonds cashed in following a bondholder's death will be subject to taxation.

Andrea Leadsom: 65+ Bonds can be cashed in without penalty after the death of a sole, or last surviving Bond holder.   Information about the tax treatment of 65+ bonds is available in the brochure for the bonds, the terms and conditions under which the bonds are issued and in the annual statement issued to bond holders.   The income earned on the bonds is taxable and tax at the basic rate will be deducted when interest is added to a bond. This applies equally to any bond interest paid after the bond holder’s death. There is no capital gains tax charge when one of these Bonds is cashed in either by the original purchaser or the purchaser's legatee.

Mental Illness

Paul Burstow: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department has taken to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination as a result of signing up to the Time to Change Pledge.

Andrea Leadsom: As a result of signing up to the Time to Change Pledge in February 2014, a Plan of Actions was compiled. The first action was to launch a Mental Wellbeing Network across HM Treasury. This network is made up of approximately 30 members of staff who are an important source to help raise awareness and improve staff’s understanding around mental health and help to rid the associated stigma.   Actions taken: We have published staff’s own life experiences about how they have coped with poor mental health and how this was dealt with by others.We have held workshops on mental wellbeing for staff and managers where they can ask questions and find out the help and support available for them to use.We have had 11 key members of staff trained in Mental Health First Aid.We have held a Mental Wellbeing Week which included members of staff talking about their own experiences, ways in which you can gain support, help and advice.Held ‘speed meetings’ on Time to Talk Day where staff were encouraged to spend 5 minutes talking to another person about their own experiences of mental health.Weekly lunchtime group walks to help mental and physical wellbeingRun a Time to Change health check on how staff in the Treasury view mental health and how it is dealt with and support available.Provided staff with stress information packs on Stress Awareness Day.Published guidance for staff on how to manage their own mental health and for managers on how to manage someone with poor mental healthPublicised Mental Health eLearning available on the Civil Service Learning PortalWe have reminded staff to complete the eLearning Stress Essentials which is mandatory for all staff to complete.We have given talks to Treasury Groups and leadership teams about mental health and how to manage stress.In addition, a key member of staff will regularly attend the Time to Change Organisational Peer Learning Events to share ideas and latest news on mental health. Following this work, we continue to work towards removing the mental health stigma and improve interest in mental wellbeing throughout HM Treasury.

Banks: Finance

Sir Oliver Heald: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to bring forward secondary legislation to grant new powers to the Financial Policy Committee in respect of a leverage ratio framework.

Andrea Leadsom: A draft statutory instrument that will grant the Financial Policy Committee new powers of direction with regards to a leverage ratio framework was laid before the House on 12 February 2015. This instrument will soon be debated on the Floor of the House.

Members: Correspondence

Mr John Spellar: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Economic Secretary to the Treasury plans to reply to the letters of 16 January 2015 and 19 February 2015 from the hon. Member for Warley on the sovereign debt restructuring process.

Andrea Leadsom: I have replied to the Hon Member.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Fossil Fuels: Prices

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what comparative assessment he has made of trends in pump petrol prices and oil prices.

Matthew Hancock: Movements in pump prices are primarily driven by crude oil prices; though are also influenced by a range of other factors; including tax, refining capacity, stock levels, distribution costs and retail margins.The Government has been absolutely clear that it expects changes in crude prices to be passed on fairly to consumers. DECC continuously monitors pump prices, and publish average prices of petrol and diesel every Monday, available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/oil-and-petroleum-products-weekly-statistics.We have also cut then frozen fuel duty, leaving it 20p lower than previously planned.DECC analysis has shown that crude price changes are reflected in pump prices and suggests that on average, at a national level, sustained crude price changes are fully passed through into pump prices within 6-7 weeks; though much of the change is passed through earlier. The analysis found no evidence to suggest there is a difference in pass-through times between crude price rises and falls.

Green Deal Scheme

Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what information his Department holds on the value of (a) Green Deal levies collected from and (b) Green Deal measures delivered to off grid areas to date.

Amber Rudd: The Green Deal is not funded through a levy.There were 52,214 Green Deal Assessments in off-gas grid properties in Great Britain up to 30th September 2014, representing around 15 per cent of all properties with a Green Deal Assessment*.However, the Department does not publish breakdowns of measures by property type. *Source, Table 1.4 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/green-deal-energy-company-obligation-eco-and-insulation-levels-in-great-britain-quarterly-report-to-september-2014

Green Deal Scheme

Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps he plans to take to improve targeting of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund to deep rural areas and off gas grid areas.

Amber Rudd: The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund is open to applications from owners or occupiers of a residential property in England or Wales. The scheme does not distinguish between applicants from rural or urban areas, or between applicants who are on or off gas grid. Over 25,000 households have received vouchers to date.

Tidal Power: Newport

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the city of Newport of the proposed tidal lagoon power project.

Amber Rudd: The Government’s 2010 Severn Tidal Power feasibility study [1] assessed the potential for a tidal lagoon near Newport as part of 5 generic Severn Estuary tidal range schemes.No assessment has been made of the Cardiff tidal lagoon recently proposed by developer Tidal Lagoon Power Ltd. [1]https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/1-severn-tidal-power-feasibility-study-conclusions-and-summary-report

Energy: Prices

Sir Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate he has made of the change in household energy prices in the last 12 months.

Amber Rudd: Holding answer received on 10 March 2015



Data on household energy prices are collected and published by the Office for National Statistics. This information is re-published by DECC, with the data is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/monthly-domestic-energy-price-stastics.The latest data show that overall prices for domestic fuel have come down by 2.0% between January 2014 and January 2015. Over this period, liquid fuels are down by 31%; gas is down by 1.0%; electricity is down by 0.7%; and solid fuels have risen by 1.1%.

Cabinet Office

Departmental Responsibilities

Pamela Nash: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many off-payroll engagements there were in each government department and its arm's-length bodies in each of the last five years.

Mr Francis Maude: The information requested is not held by the Cabinet Office. Departments are responsible for publishing information on their off-payroll engagements in their annual accounts.

Government Departments: Solar Power

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans his Department has to promote the installation of solar panels across the government estate.

Mr Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office is exploring possible sites (including rooftop, car park and ground mount) for the installation of solar panels across the Government estate. The intention is to reduce energy bills and reduce Government's carbon footprint.

Natural Resources

Joan Walley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will commission a review of the risks and opportunities that resource insecurity poses to the UK economy.

Mr Oliver Letwin: The Government’s Horizon Scanning Programme examines emerging trends and developments, such as those related to resource insecurity, that have the potential to lead to risks and opportunities for the UK. As part of this programme, Defra led a piece of work to assess risks to the UK economy from countries or companies restricting the supply of key resources. A summary of this work was published in Civil Service Quarterly in July 2014.Last year, the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee set up the Strategic Resources and Risks group to coordinate work on resource insecurity across Government. As part of its remit, this group considers risks and opportunities that resource insecurity poses to the UK economy. This work is being reflected in the current refresh of the Government’s National Security Risk Assessment. Domestic risks related to resource insecurity are also included in the UK’s National Risk Register.

Unemployment: Young People

Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of young unemployed people was identified as BME in each month since February 2005.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



ONS Letter to Member - BME
(PDF Document, 143.74 KB)

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Public Service Broadcasting

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2015 to Question 225617 on Public Service Broadcasting, whether his Department plans to open the consultation before 7 May 2015.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Department intends to consult in the near future although no date has been formally set as yet.

Deputy Prime Minister

Electoral Register

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2015 to Question 223247, what funding the Government has allocated to the Student Forum in each of the last five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Student Forum was established by the Government to help share best practice between local councils, Electoral Registration Officers and universities. It does not require funding itself; instead, the Government has funded national organisations and Electoral Registration Officers to carry out activities to increase the completeness and accuracy of the electoral register. This funding amounts to £14 million over the past two financial years, and includes a specific allocation of £530,000 for student organisations.

Electoral Register

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2015 to Question 223244, if he will increase the budget available to Electoral Registration Officers who bid for additional support.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2015 to Question 223245, what information his Department holds on the uses to which funds released to individual Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) under section 31 of the Local Government Act in 2014-15 have been put by EROs.

Mr Sam Gyimah: In 2014/15 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) have received £27 million resource funding to support them in the transition to Individual Electoral Registration. EROs have also received a share of £6.8 million funding to support activities such as targeted canvassing, mail-outs and communications campaigns aimed at increasing the completeness and accuracy of the electoral register, with allocations based on levels of under registration. This funding is paid to EROs via grants under Section 31 of the Local Government Act (2003).   Where EROs can justify the need for further support, bids for additional funding can be made. These are assessed on a case by case basis.

Department of Health

Prescription Drugs: Misuse

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made by Public Health England on the commissioning of addiction to medicines pilot projects.

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS patients are taking benzodiazepines; and if he will estimate how many such patients are taking that medication for more than the recommended time of four weeks.

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy that it be mandatory for clinical commissioning groups to commission services to support patients withdrawing from prescribed medicines; and what criteria are used for deciding whether services should be mandatory.

Jane Ellison: The public health responsibilities which were transferred to local authorities by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 include the commissioning of specialist treatment for people who are dependent on drugs including prescribed medicines. The responsibility of clinical commissioning groups in this area is medicines management, which includes ensuring good prescribing practice, ensuring that prescribers are supported to manage withdrawal in non-complex cases and facilitating referral to specialist help where appropriate.   Public Health England (PHE) is supporting several local authorities that have expressed an interest in developing their support for people affected by addictions to medicines. This pathfinder work is locally designed and led.   PHE is assisting each area to develop their work plans, establish management, monitoring and oversight as well as working with them to ensure that appropriate clinical governance is in place. It will subsequently work with them to support delivery and monitor outcomes.   Information is not held centrally on the number of people prescribed particular medicines or the duration of treatment.

Mental Illness

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination as a result of signing up to the Time to Change Pledge.

Norman Lamb: In January 2014, we published Closing the Gap: Priorities for Essential Change in Mental Health. This set out 25 of the most important changes that we want to make in the next few years to improve the lives of people with mental health problems and help reduce health inequalities. This included reducing stigma and discrimination around mental health.   The Department is funding the Time to Change campaign from 2011/12 to 2015/16. This funding enables Time to Change to work with people with experience of mental health problems to challenge attitudes and discrimination; run social marketing campaigns and work with local and regional partners on community-led activity.   In addition, on the 10 October 2014, World Mental Health Day, I issued a challenge to FTSE 100 companies to sign up to Time to Change, highlighting the key role employers play in tackling mental health problems in the workplace and encouraging and supporting people back into work, as well as supporting overall employee wellbeing.   The Department provides Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for its staff. This course is delivered by Departmental staff who have been trained by MHFA England. The course provides staff with an understanding of a wide range of mental health issues/conditions. It provides staff with skills to feel confident to talk to individuals about mental health and provide assistance on a first aid basis. Through the course, the trainee will also gain knowledge of support services available and be able to signpost to appropriate support, where needed. The course encourages people to talk about mental health and one of its aims is to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination.   The Department takes part in the Time to Change Time to Talk Day. This is advertised on the staff intranet which provides details of the campaign and information on the wider work of Time to Change. Staff drop-in sessions are also held where staff can talk to Health and Wellbeing staff and MHFA trainers about mental health issues.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects to receive the final advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on the HPV vaccination programme for men who have sex with men.

Jane Ellison: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the independent expert body that advises the Government on all immunisation matters agreed at its October 2014 meeting that further consultation was needed with stakeholders before finalising its advice to Ministers on the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination of men who have sex with men (MSM). It held a stakeholder consultation between 12 November and 7 January and we understand that JCVI considered the outcome of the consultation at its meeting on 4 February 2015, as it reviewed its provisional advice on MSM.   Any implementation of a HPV vaccination programme for MSM will be dependent on JCVI’s final advice. As JCVI is an independent body, we do not know exactly when it will issue its final advice on HPV vaccination of MSM, but work is ongoing within the Department to consider the provisional advice.

Meningitis: Vaccination

Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with Novartis during price negotiations on the meningitis B vaccine on risk sharing in the development and implementation of that vaccine.

Jane Ellison: The meningitis B (MenB) vaccine has already been developed by Novartis. Implementation of the MenB programme is dependent on the vaccine being obtained at a cost effective price as recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.   The Department is continuing to negotiate with the manufacturer and the content of these negotiations is confidential. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) completed its purchase of Novartis’s non-influenza vaccine business on 2 March 2015 and therefore, further negotiations are continuing with GSK.

Abortion

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what arrangements are in place for regulating and ensuring correct practice by approved independent sector places for abortion services which fail to comply with the requirements of the revised Procedures for the Approval of Independent Sector Places for the Termination of Pregnancy and his Department's Guidance in Relation to the Requirements of the Abortion Act, both published in May 2014.

Jane Ellison: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 15 January 2015 to Question 220148 and 5 February to Question 222044.

Hearing Impairment

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which primary mutual health services for deaf people have been commissioned by all clinical commissioning groups; and which such services have been commissioned by each such group.

Norman Lamb: Information on which health services for deaf people have been commissioned by all clinical commissioning groups, and which such services have been commissioned by each group, is not held centrally.

Hearing Impairment

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will develop a national strategy for specialist health services for the deaf.

Norman Lamb: Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are responsible for commissioning services for deaf and deafblind people with acquired neurological impairments to meet the needs of their local populations. The CCG’s decisions are based on clinical insight and knowledge of local healthcare needs.   To support this, the commissioning of accredited services is considered good practice and NHS England encourages it. Audiology services are making good progress towards accreditation. The Royal College of Physicians and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service are recording and monitoring the number of services that are registering for and working towards accreditation as well as those services that are achieving accreditation. The numbers in these categories is increasing.   The Improving Quality in Physiological Services programme is raising the profile of accreditation and quality assurance schemes for physiological diagnostic services. A mapping exercise is underway by NHS England to identify those services that are accredited or working towards accreditation.

Cancer: Drugs

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the forecast expenditure of the Cancer Drugs Fund is for 2015-16; and what plans he has to fund cancer drugs when the Cancer Drugs Fund expires in 2016.

George Freeman: Thanks to the strong economy this Government is delivering, we have increased the Cancer Drugs Fund’s budget by £160 million (£80 million in both 2014-15 and 2015-16) and NHS England currently estimates that the budget for the Fund will rise to £340 million in 2015-16.   We will carefully consider with NHS England what arrangements should be put in place to fund cancer drugs in the long term.

Cancer: Drugs

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received on the use of the National Cancer Drugs Fund clinical scoring tool to decide what treatments are available on the Cancer Drugs Fund; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: We have received a number of representations from hon. Members, members of the public, clinicians and the pharmaceutical industry about NHS England’s re-evaluation of cancer drugs on the national Cancer Drugs Fund list.   NHS England undertook a public consultation in 2014 on its standard operating procedures for the Cancer Drugs Fund – which included the prioritisation tool. The report of that consultation process is available at:   www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cdf-consult-rep.pdf